OCCURRENCE OF HCV AMONG THE POPULATION OF GHEDWA VILLAGE, LIBYA

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally prevalent pathogen and a leading cause of death and morbidity. HCV exhibits high genetic diversity, characterized by regional variations in genotype prevalence. Hepatitis C virus was found to be endemic in certain countries, and different studies have confirmed such endemicity. There is an alarming news is that HCV transmission is more by household contacts of people. Aim of the present study is that to determine the occurrence of HCV in Ghedwa village and find out the possible risk factors behind the prevalence of HCV in this region.

Study and data collection are from the Sabah city central hospital, Libya during 2014 and 2015.  300 cases have divided in to 4 groups on the basis of age (165 samples of age group less than 30 years old included 74 males and 91 females, 77 samples of age group 31-50 years old included 44 males and 33 females, 44 samples of age group 51-70 years old included 24 males and 20 females and 14 samples of age group 71-90 y ears old included 8 males and 6 females). 5 ml of blood samples collected and centrifuged to collect the serum.  HCV infection, HCV IgM and IgG antibodies were analyzed using a third-generation ELISA kit (DIALAB, GmbH, Austria). ⁽²⁾  Ministry of health, Ghedwa , Libya.    In Ghedwa village, the study shows that male cases with HCV positive were more than the female cases. Education and profession also play a major role in the HCV infections.  This preliminary report regarding the number of HCV cases and seropositive study of IgG and IgM both reflect more cases in male middle age group. The presence of hepatitis C across Libya is not homogeneous and show high rate in some areas. This indication of the effect of the higher rates in some area is due to the effect of alarming levels in neighboring countries.